Viessmann had already announced the sale of its air conditioning division to a US competitor in April. According to media reports, Economics Minister Habeck gave his go – albeit under certain conditions.
Federal Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has no objections to the sale of Viessmann’s heat pump business to a US company. As part of an investment review, his ministry issued a so-called clearance certificate to the Hessian heating engineer, according to media reports.
It is granted under the condition that the clauses agreed by the parties to secure the site are observed, as reported by several media unanimously. These are the decisive basis for decision-making. The ministry declined to comment on the case.
Carrier Global takes over climate division for twelve billion euros
Viessmann announced in April that it would sell its air conditioning division, including the lucrative heat pumps, to US competitor Carrier Global. This put the price at twelve billion euros. Both sides had agreed on long-term guarantees, said the heating engineer. Operational redundancies are excluded for three years, important locations are secured for five years and Allendorf an der Eder in Hesse is set as the headquarters for ten years.
Even then, Habeck had said about the deal that production capacities in Germany should be expanded. In its heating technology division, Viessmann was looking for an attractive product but a financially strong partner. The medium-sized company’s heat pumps should become cheaper over time with the new capital from the US group. Heat pumps play a key role in the conversion of the building sector to climate-friendly systems, especially from the perspective of the Greens.
The announcement further fueled the debate over the traffic light government’s heating law in April. Union and FDP politicians accused the Economics Minister of overtaxing the manufacturers with the strict requirements for new heaters and thus promoting a sell-out of German companies. Habeck announced an investment review, but let it be known from the start that he saw no need for action.